Coast Guard Bill that Garamendi Co-Authored Passes House of Representatives

Press Release

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 1987) by a unanimous voice vote. Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, co-authored this bipartisan legislation and welcomed its passage. The bill supports and strengthens the Coast Guard in its critical missions to save lives, safeguard our shores, and protect marine resources. Garamendi's statement submitted for the record is linked here.

"America's Coast Guard and Merchant Marine play an indispensible role in our national security and economic prosperity. This bipartisan legislation supports their work and I applaud its passage," said Ranking Member Garamendi. "H.R. 1987 would provide crucial budget stability for our Coast Guard, strengthening its ability to recapitalize its offshore fleets of ships and aircraft. The funding level, while far from ideal, will support this recapitalization and help the Coast Guard meet more of its mission goals. The bill also helps us find and implement best practices for meeting personnel needs, measuring performance, and using new technology."

Garamendi continued, "The bill also would direct the Secretary of Transportation to develop guidelines to promote the use of U.S. flag ships and U.S. mariners in the imminent export of Liquefied Natural Gas. I urge members to support this provision, which will create maritime jobs here at home."

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